This needs to stop

The grand halls of Westdentia Academy echoed with the chatter of students, but within the library, all was still. Sunlight filtered through tall, arched windows, casting golden streaks across mahogany bookshelves. It was a sanctuary of silence, a haven for those who sought refuge in words rather than people.

Leina Reinhardt sat curled up in her usual seat, an old book resting in her lap. She read with the calm detachment of someone lost in another world, her delicate fingers tracing the faded ink of well-worn pages.

She was used to this peace being disturbed.

A trio of footsteps, sharp against the polished floor, shattered the quiet.

"Oh, look who we have here," a sing-song voice announced.

Leina didn't flinch. She knew that voice too well.

Susain, dressed in her pristine uniform—gold-trimmed blazer, polished shoes, and an ever-present smirk—stood with her arms crossed. Behind her, her two lackeys, Emily and Jessica, giggled on cue.

Leina turned a page.

Susain huffed. "Still pretending to be smart, bookworm?"

Silence.

Leina had mastered the art of ignoring Susain. It was easy. Just keep reading. Just let the words drown out the noise.

Unfortunately, Susain was the type of person who hated being ignored.

She leaned in, placing both hands on the armrests of Leina's chair. "What's so interesting, huh? More useless facts? Or are you trying to find something—anything—that makes you special?"

Leina didn't blink.

Emily giggled. "It's actually kinda sad. Imagine being a Reinhardt but only being good at sitting still and reading."

Jessica snorted. "I bet her parents wish they could trade her for another genius brother."

Susain grinned. "Oh, absolutely. They must be so embarrassed. Imagine being from that family and having zero talent."

Leina focused on her breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Turn the page.

Susain straightened, flipping her golden curls. "Honestly, I'd be doing you a favor if I just took that book and shoved it—"

"Susain!"

Emily and Jessica gasped.

A strict voice cut through the air, and all three bullies froze.

Madam Lucille, the librarian, stood near the entrance, eyes narrowed behind her gold-rimmed glasses.

Susain, ever the actress, immediately straightened. "Oh, Madam Lucille! I was just checking in on our dear friend Leina." She clasped her hands together, all innocence. "She gets so absorbed in books that I worry she doesn't interact enough with real people."

Lucille stared at her for a long moment, unimpressed.

"No disturbances in the library, Miss Susain," she said flatly. "Or should I inform the Headmistress?"

Susain's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "Of course not! I was just leaving."

She turned on her heel and strode toward the door, her lackeys scrambling after her.

Leina exhaled softly, letting her shoulders relax. The moment was over.

Or so she thought.

From the doorway, Susain glanced back.

And then—

"Oh! That reminds me."

Leina's fingers stilled on the page.

Susain tapped her chin, her smirk returning. "I heard something interesting the other day." She giggled. "It was about your little friend."

Leina's stomach twisted.

Friend?

Emily gasped. "Ooooh, Susain, you can't say that."

Jessica nudged her. "You definitely can't say that."

Susain's grin widened. "But I want to."

Leina suddenly felt cold.

Susain tilted her head. "You know who I'm talking about, right? That friend of yours? The one who just…" She trailed off, feigning innocence. "Oh, wait, are we not supposed to mention what happened to her?"

A loud thud echoed through the library.

Leina had slammed her book shut.

Silence.

Susain blinked.

Emily and Jessica shifted uncomfortably. This was new.

Slowly, Leina rose from her chair, the book still clenched in her hands.

Her expression was unreadable—her storm-gray eyes calm, yet something fierce flickered behind them.

Susain hesitated. Just for a second.

Then she scoffed. "What? Are you actually going to talk now, bookworm?"

Leina took a step forward.

Emily and Jessica instinctively stepped back.

Susain remained still, but her smirk faltered.

Leina spoke, voice soft but sharp.

"You should stop talking."

Susain narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"

Leina took another step. "You run your mouth too much, Susain. You say things you shouldn't."

Susain crossed her arms. "And what are you going to do about it?"

Leina's fingers tightened around the book. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do. But for the first time, she wasn't going to let Susain win.

She tilted her head slightly. "You talk like you know everything. But if you really did know what happened to her…"

Her gaze locked onto Susain's, unwavering.

"…you wouldn't be smiling right now."

Something flickered across Susain's face.

Guilt? Uncertainty? Fear?

She quickly masked it with another smirk, but it was weaker this time. "Whatever. It's not my fault if people disappear."

Leina didn't move.

Didn't blink.

Didn't break eye contact.

And for the first time, Susain was the one who looked away first.

Emily cleared her throat. "Uh, Susain? We should probably go…"

Susain scoffed and turned on her heel. "Tch. Whatever. You're sooo boring, Leina. Honestly, you should be grateful anyone even bothers talking to you."

With that, she strode out of the library, her lackeys hurrying after her.

Leina remained still.

Her heart pounded.

She had spoken. She had stood up.

And she had seen it—just for a moment.

A crack in Susain's mask.

Leina sat back down, slowly reopening her book.

The words on the page didn't pull her in as easily as before.

Because now, something else occupied her mind.

Susain knew something she wasn't supposed to know.

And Leina was going to find out exactly what it was.